Cannabis and Sleep - What's the connection?
We have all experienced that overwhelmingly horrible feeling of lying in bed, watching the clock tick into the early hours unable to settle your mind and get some well deserved sleep. Conversely, I am certain all of us have also experienced the cacophonous sound of that early morning alarm, urging you out of bed when it feels like you have had no where near enough rest. Both of these undesirable experiences rarely occur for some, but for others, it can be a very serious problem that can lead to equally serious medical conditions.
If you are a cannabis user, you will be fully aware of its relationship with sleep. Some say it helps them have a peaceful night's rest, others say it makes waking up the next day a real challenge. But who is right? We take a look at 5 key facts about the relationship between cannabis and sleep that should help you answer some valuable questions.
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1.CBN - The Sedative Cannabinoid
With all of the talk about THC and CBD, you would be forgiven for forgetting that their are in fact other cannabis present in the cannabis plant. And one of the lesser discussed cannabinoids present is CBN, or cannabinol.
CBN is created during the degradation of THC, which happens when cannabis is left exposed over a significant period of time. Estimates believe that CBN is up to five times more sedating than THC or any other cannabinoid.
Essentially, the longer you leave the cannabis the more THC will convert into CBN, meaning a fantastic sedative can be used.
2. Cannabis Can Stop Bad Dreams
While this may be a disappointing thing to hear for those who relish dreams, for people who suffer from PTSD or suffer from perennial nightmares, this can be a life changing revelation.
Essentially, dreams or nightmares occur during REM, which is a cyclical stage of your sleep cycle. A
study conducted in 2008 by the University of Freiburg, Germany, revealed that cannabis use just before sleep can reduce the amount of time spent in REM, which consequentially leads to a reduction in dreams.
3. Cannabis Can Suppress Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a potentially debilitating condition which is characterised by obstructions in breathing whilst asleep. This leads to frequent awakenings and subsequently, fatigue, headaches and irritability throughout the next day.
However, in a
study conducted in 2013 by the University of Chicago, reported that dronabinol (an 'imitation' THC) reduced the occurrence of Sleep Apnea in patients, leading to a restful sleep and no discernible issues the following day.
Do you use cannabis to help with your sleeping pattern? Let us know whether it has worked for you in the comments below.
